New ‘Skyfall’ TV Spot; Benedict Cumberbatch as ‘Bond 24′ Villain?

The 2012 Primetime Emmy Awards was a prime time indeed to launch a new TV spot for Skyfall, the new James Bond film (23rd, to be exact) that will hit theaters this fall. Directed by Oscar-winning director Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition), Skyfall has looked better and better with every new trailer and TV spot – and the latest one (above) fits that trend.

In other James Bond news: even though 007’s 23rd cinematic adventure isn’t even in theaters yet, rumors persist that the studio is pushing forward with development of “Bond 24.” We already know star Daniel Craig will be back, but it’s now being rumored that The Hobbit and Star Trek 2 star Benedict Cumberbatch could be the next foe Bond faces off against.

Skyfall sees Bond’s boss “M” (Judi Dench) being targeted by a diabolical assassin named Raoul Silva (Javier Bardem), who returns to settle an old score against MI6. Along the way, we meet some new franchise characters – young “Q” (Ben Whishaw) and Gareth “M”allory (Ralph Fiennes) a new MI6 advisor – as well as some new Bond girls in Naomie Harris as agent Eve, and femme fatale Sévérine (Bérénice Marlohe). We’ll also see Bond complete the origin story arc started back in Casino Royale, developing into the full-fledged, gadget-toting, lady-killer suave agent fans have adored.

As such, “Bond 24″ should be something of a return to form for 007, and considering that the film will be the harbinger to the milestone 25th film (both of which are already contracted to star Craig), the choice of villain in the 24th installment will be important at both the story and casting levels.

Benedict Cumberbatch is a pretty in-demand actor at the moment. After breaking out (at least with American audiences) in films like War Horse, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and the popular BBC version of Sherlock, the UK star has snagged huge blockbuster roles in the aforementioned Hobbit Trilogy (voicing the dragon Smaug and the evil Necromancer), as well as the yet-to-be-revealed villain role in the sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness. We now hear Cumberbatch’s name being mentioned in conjunction with just about every new film role du jour (see: Marvel’s Ant-Man) – and Bond 24 is no exception.

Cumberbatch

The rumor comes by way of Express UK, which also claims that production on Bond 24 will begin as soon as next year (2013). This should, of course, be taken with a HUGE grain of salt, as UK trades are nefarious for gossip, Cumberbatch has plenty on his plate for the next year or so; not to mention, if you were to ask anybody involved with Skyfall they would likely tell you their focus is on launching this installment of the franchise before worrying about who will be in the next one.

It’s not an impossible casting choice – and really, it’s one that a lot of people would be excited to support. Just don’t count this egg in the basket just yet. But in the spirit of fun: Would you want to see Cumberbatch play an iconic Bond villain, or one that’s totally new?